Armenia wins World Team title!

Daaim Shabazz July 26, 2011

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ARMENIA

Arshak Petrosian (captain), Vladimir Akopian (board #3), Robert Hovhannisyan (reserve), Gabriel Sargissian (board #4), Sergei Movesesian (board #2), Levon Aronian (board #1)

Armenia continues to add to their success in team events by winning the 2011 World Team Championship held in Ningbo, China. Armenia and the Ukraine played to a draw in the last round while China beat Hungary to take the bronze. The Ukraine only had to wait for the India-Russia match to determine their medal fate. India scored the upset and the bronze went to the defending Olympiad champions, Ukraine.

For Armenia, this victory will be cause for celebration in a country where chess has a rich tradition and chess players are considered celebrities. What seems to be the recipe for success is tremendous national support and team camaraderie. The team went undefeated throughout the tournament and suffered only three losses. China took the silver while the Ukraine earned the bronze medal. Russia, the top seed, placed 4th.

Top player Levon Aronian had a good supporting cast to go along with his 5/8 and 2826 performance. He was supported by Sergei Movesesian’s 6/9 and 2824 and Vladimir Akopian’s 6/9 and 2784 performance. Gabriel Sargissian, the Armenia who usually carries the team in Olympiad tournaments, played exactly to his rating on a 50% score.

FINAL STANDINGS

#	Team	+	=	–	Match Pts.	Board Pts.	TB3
1	Armenia	5	4	0	14	22.5	0
2	China	6	1	2	13	22.5	0
3	Ukraine	5	2	2	12	19.5	0
4	Russia	4	2	3	10	21.0	0
5	Hungary	4	2	3	10	19.5	0
6	USA	4	2	3	10	18.5	0
7	Azerbaijan	3	3	3	9	19.0	0
8	India	3	1	5	7	15.5	0
9	Israel	2	1	6	5	13.0	0
10	Egypt	0	0	9	0	9.0	0